I wrote a post a few months back about my UK Travel Bucket List for 2016, explaining my love of travelling and exploring new places. We are getting closer to Summer and naturally I’ve started to think about getting out and about visiting places. One of the places I have come across in particular, is the beautiful looking seaside resort of Woolacombe, located on the coast of North Devon.
Last year, Woolacombe beach was named not only the best beach in the UK but as one of the top 5 beaches in Europe compiled from reviews on TripAdvisor. This was amongst the likes of Rabbit Beach, in Lampedusa, Italy; Playa de Ses Illetes, on the Balearic island of Formentera; and Elafonissi beach in Greece. That’s quite something then.
The reasons for this are said to be down to the fact that it is clean, safe and very long, taking in three miles of white sands, backed by rolling dunes. That means that even in the busy Summer periods it is easy for visitors to find their very own bit of beach to stretch out on with plenty of space for typical beach activities such as frisbee throwing or sandcastle building. How fantastic is that?
As well as the beach itself, there are also rock pools to splash about in too, which are great for children to explore. Dogs are welcome too, as there is a special section where they are free to run around. On top of this, the facilities are said to be top-notch, parking is reasonably-priced, interesting shops, pubs and cafes.
I haven’t mentioned the surfing or the bodyboarding yet either! Apparently, surfing competitions are held regularly in Woolacombe. I love this because coming from a country where surfing is a well loved sport, just being able to see the surfing competitions makes me feel at home! I would love if my little terrors could learn how to surf. I’m sure they will love that but perhaps surfing lessons will be more for Bella as Sienna is still too little for that.
Perhaps unlike some of the other European resorts I’ve listed above, you won’t find any all-night parties or swanky beach bars. This is very much a more traditional, old fashioned resort in that sense but this, I think adds to the beauty as it sounds very family friendly. With kids around, the only thing you want to do at the end of the day is to have an early night. I don’t think I can cope with late night partying anyway so this place sounds perfect for us. Perhaps a nice meal and a drink in front of a fire can be something nice to do.
I’m also told that you should be sure to check out the far end of Woolacombe beach where you can find Putsborough Sands. Apparently, it has the same clear water and great surf as Woolacombe, but with a gentler feel. I really would like to visit that as it sounds fantastic!
Of course, there are other things to do than visit the beach:
Exmoor Zoo – This is apparently a great zoo!
Mortehoe Museum – Built with kids in mind, the family will have a blast!
Watermouth Castle and Family Theme Park – Gorgeous gardens, wild rides and even a water show…what more could you ask for?
Ilfracombe Museum – Stuffed centipedes and mounted Bison heads, a museum with a difference, sounds like it could be worth a visit!
Quince Honey Farm – Find out how honey is made!
Lynmouth Cliff Railway – Amazing views can be had from one of the world’s most famous railway routes!
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park – Kids and dinosaurs, what could be better?
Ilfracombe Aquarium – Explore the marine life without getting wet!
And of course, there are plenty of great holiday parks and places to stay. You just need to go and explore the area and appreciate the views and sceneries. The magical sunsets and amazing sunrises.
Well, what can I say? Woolacombe sounds like the perfect place for a family holiday, with surroundings that have so much more to offer for all the family. Like any where in the UK, the weather is not always perfect so having other great activities available is ideal! A great place to stay for families is Golden Coast Holiday Park which has an army of fun family activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a climbing wall and high ropes course, ten pin bowling and a wavesurfer surfing simulator to name just a few. Golden Coast is winner of Britain’s best holiday park, and it’s right next to Britain’s best beach (voted by Trip Advisor users). Woolacombe is definitely on my wish list now!
Have you visited Woolacombe before? Are there any things I haven’t covered? Are there any other places you can recommend in the UK? Please leave your comment as I would love to read your thoughts.
*Disclosure: this is a collaborative post
Thanks for stopping by,
Love you all ❤️
Franca 💋
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Yes! We have had a fantastic summer holiday here – it helped that it was 30degrees and sunny for the whole week! Such a beautiful beach and gorgeous part of the country! Such good memories, can’t wait to go back! #KCACOLS
I used to have family who lived in Woolacombe and have lovely memories from there! It’s around 15 years, maybe even 20, since I visited but I remember it being gorgeous and really chilled. #KCACOLS
Oh yes, we’ve spent lots of time in that area and woolacombe is just gorgeous, I hope you get there! Great idea to have a bucket list of places to visit #KCACOLS
I used to holiday in this area a lot when we were younger, it’s beautiful! We are going to Devon in July. Fingers crossed for good weather!! Thanks for hosting. #KCACOLS x
I have been to Woolacombe before but i have been to lots of places on the south devon coast. Looks a great place to visit xx
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Great post. We know Southern Devon well as we have family there but never really explored northern devon. Some ideas for stop offs en route to Southern Devon thanks for linking #KCACOLS
We used to go down to Cornwall every summer for 8 years. One year we went to Bude but that is the only seaside place I have been to in North Devon. It is somewhere that I wouldn’t mind exploring. But living in North Wales we are spoilt for beautiful beqches within an hours drive of where we live. I have made it my mission to visit a few more of those for the next few years whilst H is young. Cornwall and Devon will have to wait a little longer #KCACOLS
Sounds great and that sea looks very inviting, even for the UK!! A few sand castles and ice creams and I reckon it’d be perfect! Would love to go too. Thanks for hosting #kcacols
Really feeling in need of a holiday….this is very inspiring. Looks gorgeous, fab location for a break x #KCACOLS
I’ve heat of if before but never been. It does sound idealic! I’ll look forward to hearing all about it when you’ve been! #kcacols
North Devon is really beautiful, especially on the coast. If anyone in the family likes horses I would recommend going to one of the local riding schools and enquiring about half day treks; a great way to explore and they will accompany/help any novices. Also if you go to Lynmouth the Rising Sun pub was fantastic for food last time we went! Lundy Island off the coast of North Devon is also very beautiful. Thanks for hosting #KCACOLS it’s my first linkup here. x
Loons amazing, we’re planning to go abroad this year but if that falls through I may have to suggest Devon to the hubby, will be nice to explore places in the UK. As ever thank you for the interesting post x #KCACOLS
It looks beautiful! I’ve always wanted to visit Devon, definitely one to add to the list when we move home! #KCACOLS
Lovely photos, and description. Also you are close to Exeter so can come have a cuppa/glass of red wine with me. I love living in the South West, Devon especially is so beautiful sometimes I think I take it for granted. Thank you for reminding me. Lovely post #KCACOLS
Oh Iv been to woolacombe beach lots in my time, was a regular as a child. It is a very nice beach and there are fab pasties to be had nearby. I would also definitely recommend a trip to Lynmouth if your there and a go on the railway. My little one hated it (it scared her) but it is definitely worth going to and the view really is something special xx #KCACOLS
Ooh I’ve never been to Woolacoombe but I love that area of the UK, I’ll be putting it on my travel bucket list too! #KCACOLS
Woolacombe sounds fab Franca, I love a traditional resort like this which is not spoilt by any development. The beaches in the UK are beautiful, sometimes it make me wonder what I want to go away so often. I hope you can visit Woolacombe soon. Claire x #KCACOLS
This place sounds perfect! I’m yet to visit anywhere so far down south but have always wanted to do to Devon and Cornwall. THANKS FOR HOSTING #KCACOLS
I’ve been to Woolacombe several times and it’s fab! Definitely recommend it. #KCACOLS
I love that part of Devon. We have relatives down there as my mum is from there. I visited a lot as a child and we have been a few times more recently. The scenery is beautiful. You will definitely enjoy the area! 🙂
Woolacombe sounds lovely and definitely like somewhere we would like to visit ourselves! I love that you are adding to your bucket list as you discover new places you’d like to visit, such a great idea 🙂 I cant wait to see where you decide to explore this year! Emily #KCACOLS
It looks lovely. I’ve never been to Devon, I did visit Somerset a few years back and it was lovely there too. #kcacols
Aww this looks like such a beautiful place! I haven’t been before but as Mia is just 3 now and we haven’t been away with her yet, we will be looking very soon at where to go so this is a great recommendation for us! 🙂
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Sounds like a fantastic place to visit. Next time we’re in the UK we’ll have to check it out. #KCACOLS
We visited here before we had children and did loads of coastal walks etc. It was absolutely gorgeous. I really would recommend it. Definitely somewhere we’d go back when ours are just a little bigger. #KCACOLS